What New Yorkers watched in 2025 says a lot about what mattered this year.
In 2025, the city famously experienced the worst summer for subway service in seven years. So it’s no surprise that Gothamist readers eagerly watched and shared any promising improvements, be it a new map or totally new train cars on their favorite line. Your viewing habits back up the saying that “everyone takes the train.”
Everyone also has to get rid of their trash. But before Mayor Eric Adams launched the “trash revolution,” were we really disposing of it the right way? Our readers were eager to see the innovative tactics in action.
Speaking of the mayor, our readers were also eager to watch videos about the candidates in this year’s historical election.
These topics and more make up our 11 most watched videos of 2025:
1. The MTA debuts its open gangway subway trains. (Instagram)
Transit reporter Ramsey Khalifeh documented the debut of the MTA’s first “open gangway” subway trains, which lack doors between cars. One rider called them “refreshing.”
2. The MTA unveils its new subway map (Instagram)
The subway system continued its 2025 evolution with the unveiling of the first new subway map since 1979, covered by transit reporter Stephen Nessen.
3. Brooklyn driver sentenced to up to 9 years for crash that killed a mother and 2 daughters (Instagram)
Brooklyn wigmaker Miriam Yarimi pleaded guilty to three counts of reckless manslaughter for the deaths of a mother and her two children in a car crash in March.
Gothamist reporter Brittany Kriegstein was on hand to capture Yarimi's apology to the victims' family in court.
4. Bill de Blasio says Andrew Cuomo should not be mayor (Instagram)
In April, education reporter Jessica Gould caught former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio delivering his blunt thoughts on the city’s mayoral election: His old nemesis, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, should not be mayor.
5. New York City rolls out modern garbage trucks in Harlem (Instagram)
As part of his “trash revolution,” Mayor Adams rolled out a fleet of brand-new, $500,000 garbage trucks in Harlem. Read more about them from reporter Liam Quigley
6. Did Zohran Mamdani's Spanish-language video change the game? (YouTube)
In April, then-candidate Zohran Mamdani released a Spanish-language ad to rave reviews. Native Spanish speakers praised it as a departure from the halting Spanish spoken by past mayors. Politics reporter Elizabeth Kim and “All Things Considered” host Sean Carlson broke down the ad as part of our weekly “Politics Brief” series.
7. The MTA is testing new subway gates (TikTok)
The MTA recently began testing new subway gates as part of its efforts to thwart fare evasion.
Ramsey Khalifeh spoke to New Yorkers who are already plotting ways to trick the new gates.
8. What we know about the federal immigration raid in Chinatown (Facebook)
Outrage mounted and questions remained after federal agents detained multiple people on Chinatown’s Canal Street in October. Gothamist’s Giulia Heyward was on scene to document the raid.
9. Garbage bins are coming to Brooklyn (Instagram)
Mayor Adams’ crusade against rats and garbage marched on as trash bins were installed in parking spots across Brooklyn. The goal? No more piles of garbage bags on sidewalks
10. The guy behind the 'Friend' ads is tired of talking to New Yorkers (TikTok)
Subway riders have likely come across thousands of posters advertising Friend, a wearable AI necklace that listens to you and is meant to offer advice.
Gothamist reporter Ryan Kailath spoke to Friend CEO Avi Schiffmann, who, unlike the necklace, is tired of talking to New Yorkers.
11. Rep. Nadler’s staff release full video of federal agents handcuffing aide (YouTube)
Rep. Jerry Nadler’s office shared surveillance footage with Gothamist that shows the lead-up to a dramatic June confrontation between his staff and U.S. Department of Homeland Security officers, which ended with a congressional aide being handcuffed.
Gothamist’s Arya Sundaram covered the altercation. Nadler called for a congressional inquiry into the incident.
We’ll keep following the stories New Yorkers care about in 2026. Watch and share our videos on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook.
